God Views Week 12 God as a “mechanic”

God ViewsGod ViewsWeek 12Week 12

http://www.pjteaches.com/GodViews.htm

God as a “mechanic”

In this session, we will examine the potential for our personality traits to create a false view of God. While the spectrum of personality (the characteristics that distinguish us from other individuals) will be considered, we will devote most of our attention to two particular traits that have been known to distort pictures of God—perfectionism and insecurity.

If you have any tendencies toward perfectionism or insecurity, be advised that what you are about to cover is for you. If you do not struggle in these areas, pray for the rest of us who do.

perfectionism & perfectionism & insecurityinsecurity

Have you ever seen a beam of light shining through a glass prism become a rainbow of colors? Who would have thought that every beam of light contains a pallet of color?

Personality: God’s Pallet for Making People

In a similar fashion, you and I are like a ray of light. As Christians, we are to be reflections of the light of Christ that has come into the world. But each of us is also a rainbow of personality differences. We have distinctive personality traits that make us unique human beings. We are both the light of Christ and the colors of ourselves.


Some of the “hues” on the palette of human personality are universally viewed as being good. Some traits are considered to be neutral. Some are “negative”.


The four temperament categories are Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, and Phlegmatic.

Personalities Personalities according to Tim according to Tim

LaHayeLaHaye

If you are a choleric, you are a dynamic, self-motivated leader who can set your sights on a target and relentlessly pursue it until success is achieved. You are a strong-willed individual who makes decisions quickly and decisively, and who readily and easily grasps difficult concepts and strategies. Learning comes quickly to you, and you like to take action immediately.

CholericCholeric

You think logically and pragmatically, and are sometimes accused of "rolling over" people once you have set a plan in motion. You do not readily reveal deep emotions—except anger. Cholerics are often accused of being stubborn, domineering, and dictatorial. You demand loyalty from your friends, and thrive when you are in control.

CholericCholeric

Time alone is vital for this reflective, introspective temperament. A perfectionist at home and on the job, the melancholic is likely the one with the perfectly organized closet and kitchen, the tidy desk-top, and the painstaking attention to religious observances, sometimes to the point of scrupulosity. A melancholic longs for a deep soul mate, yet when he is around

MelancholicMelancholic

people, he often finds himself mistrustful and disappointed. Sensing this criticism, others will keep their distance—thus further entrenching the melancholic in his solitary life. In relationships, the melancholic tends to be slow to initiate, cautious, hyper-critical, and pessimistic--yet, once committed, they are unwaveringly loyal and self-sacrificing.

MelancholicMelancholic

If you are a phlegmatic, you most likely possess a dry wit and a steady, amicable demeanor. You are dependable, polite, and even-tempered. You feel more comfortable in a small group of friends or even spending a quiet evening relaxing at home. You are never flashy, belligerent, or self-aggrandizing. You would rather take the blame (even unjustly) than stir up

PhlegmaticPhlegmatic

controversy or pick a fight. On the job, you seek neither power nor the limelight, but work steadily, patiently, and methodically. You are reliable, patient, and methodical on the job, and can work alone, or with the most difficult of personalities. You will prefer job security, working within a structured organization, but can also be a leader of great character and service.

PhlegmaticPhlegmatic

If you are a sanguine, then you are most likely the life of the party. You are funny and relish the limelight. You are affectionate, enjoy social activities, and make friends easily. You are imaginative and creative, and are often the one who enthusiastically promotes new ideas on the job. People call you vivacious, generous, and light-hearted. You wear your emotions on your

SanguineSanguine

Myers-Briggs Personality Myers-Briggs Personality Type (the MBTI)Type (the MBTI)

Myers concluded there were four primary ways people differed from one another. She labeled these differences "preferences" - drawing a similarity to "hand preferences" to illustrate that although we all use both of our hands, most of us have a preference for one over the other and "it" takes the lead in many of the activities in which we use our hands.

The first set of mental preferences relates to how people "Perceive" or take in information. In the

Myers MBTI Type Code, this is the second letter.

Those who prefer Sensing like to take information through their eyes, ears, and other senses to find out what is actually happening. They are observant of what is going on around them and are especially good at recognizing the practical realities of a situation.

The first set of mental preferences relates to how people "Perceive" or take in information. In the

Myers MBTI Type Code, this is the second letter.

In contrast, those who prefer Intuition like to take in information by seeing the big picture, focusing on the relationship and connections between facts. They want to grasp patterns and are especially good at seeing new possibilities and different ways of doing things.

The second set of mental preferences identifies how people form "Judgments" or make decisions. In the Myers MBTI Type Code, this is the third letter.

Those who prefer Thinking in decision making tend to look at logical consequences of a choice or action. They try to mentally remove themselves from a situation to examine it objectively and analyze cause and effect. Their goal is an objective


standard of truth and the application of principles. Their strengths include figuring out what is wrong with something so they can apply their problem-solving abilities.

People who prefer to use Feeling in decision making tend to consider what is important to them and to other people. They mentally place themselves in a situation and identify with the people involved so that they can make decisions based on


values. Their goal is harmony and recognition of individuals, and their strengths include understanding, appreciating, and supporting others.


People who prefer Extraversion are tend to focus on the outer world of people and external events. They direct their energy and attention outward and receive energy from external events, experiences, and interactions.

In the Myers MBTI Type Code, Extraversion or Introversion is the first letter.

Those who prefer Introversion tend to focus on their own inner world of ideas and experiences. They direct their energy and attention inward and receive energy from their internal thoughts, feelings, and reflections.

In the Myers MBTI Type Code, Extraversion or Introversion is the first letter.

Introverts (about 25% of the general population) need times of solitude to recharge their “batteries.” Extraverts (about 75% of us) recharge by being in crowds—they need and are energized by people. Being an introvert or extravert does not have much to do with shyness, as some people think. It’s more about whether a person is oriented to his inner world or to the external world; and where one recuperates from stress—in solitude or with people.

Judging and Perceiving in the Myers MBTI Type Code is the fourth letter.

People who prefer to use their Judging process in the outer world tend to live in a planned, orderly way, wanting to regulate and control life. They make decisions, come to closure, and move on. Their lifestyle is structured and organized, and they like to have things settled. Sticking to a plan and schedule is very important to them, and they enjoy their ability to get things done.

Judging and Perceiving in the Myers MBTI Type Code is the fourth letter. People who prefer to use their Perceiving process in the outer world tend to live in a flexible, spontaneous way, seeking to experience and understand life, rather than control it. Plans and decisions feel confining to them; they prefer to stay open to experience and last-minute options. They enjoy and trust their resourcefulness and ability to adapt to the demands of a situation.

DISC Personality Profiles

" D " - Dominant/ Driver or Fast-Paced and Task-Oriented " I " - Influencing/ Inspiring or Fast-Paced and People-Oriented " S " - Stable/ Steady or Slower-Paced and People-Oriented " C " - Compliant/ Correct or Slower-Paced and Task-Oriented

Exercise 7-AExercise 7-A

In appendix 7-A you will find a presentation of what is called the “big five” personality dimensions. This is not a test. It is merely an exercise to get you thinking a bit about your personality and how it may influence your view of God.

Exercise 7-AExercise 7-A

Is anyone willing to share how their personality may influence a view of God?

When it comes to an approach to God, it makes sense that an introvert would be drawn to Biblical passages about silence, solitude, and quiet, listening prayer. The practice of meditation would probably come very easily to an introvert. It may be comforting for an introvert to picture God as a gentle shepherd.

Extraverts might be more easily drawn to Biblical passages about action and adventure. Perhaps more extraverts than introverts would be attracted to auditory, intercessory prayer. The practices of meditation and contemplation may be more difficult for the extravert to enter into. Extraverts may enjoy images of Jesus as being the life of a party or view God as an active, conquering king.

It has been humorously suggested that extraverts drive introverts crazy by writing books on street evangelism. But introverts have a way of getting them back. They write books on contemplative prayer and being quiet before God.

Perhaps there is a person who is more tough-minded than tender-hearted. Perhaps this aspect of personality makes it easier for them to view God as a tough-minded judge than a tender-hearted counselor.

There are several personality traits that can be destructive in relationships—including our relationship to God. Two of these traits often occur together—perfectionism and insecurity.


Perfectionism can be considered an extreme form of “conscientiousness,” which was one of the five items assessed in Exercise 7-A. Insecurity may be one facet of the personality dimension “emotional stability/instability.” For some folks, insecurity can fuel perfectionism—and the combination can be quite combustible.


We discuss these now because of the potential impact they may have in producing a particular God view—God as mechanic or shop foreman.


Do you feel that what you accomplish is never quite good enough? Do you often put off turning in work—waiting to get it just right? Do you feel that you must give more than 100% on everything you do?


If so, instead of simply working toward success, you may be trying to be perfect. True perfectionism exists as a pattern of self-defeating thoughts and behaviors aimed at reaching excessively high and unrealistic goals give more than 100% on everything you do?


Although perfectionism is often mistaken in our society as desirable, recent studies have shown that perfectionistic attitudes actually interfere with success. The desire to be perfect can rob you of both the joy of personal satisfaction and the ability to achieve as much as people with less lofty goals.


Exercise 7-BExercise 7-B

Take a look at Exercise 7-B. It’s a series of questions to help you decide if you are something of a perfectionist.

PerfectionismPerfectionismIf you are a perfectionist, it is likely that you learned early in life that other people valued you because of how much you accomplished or achieved. Perfectionists often wrestle with a deep insecurity concerning their worth to others and to God. As a result, they may have learned to value themselves only on the basis of other people’s approval—which leaves self esteem based on external standards .

PerfectionismPerfectionismPerfectionists need to do several things to help themselves before the failure to meet unrealistic goals (or the failure of loved ones to meet their unrealistic standards) produces depression, anger, and isolation.

Worksheet 7-CWorksheet 7-C

Worksheet 7-C contains some suggestions for overcoming perfectionism.

perfectionistic godperfectionistic god

According to J. B. Phillips, “…Of all the false gods, there is probably no greater nuisance in the spiritual world than the god of one hundred percent [a perfectionist, performance-driven god]. For he is plausible.” (p. 27)

perfectionistic godperfectionistic god

This false view of God is particularly difficult to dislodge—especially for the perfectionist. It is difficult because it is plausible. After all, doesn’t the Bible say, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

perfectionistic godperfectionistic godYes, it does. But the perfection to which Jesus alludes is a perfection of love and relationship, not task and toil. And even this perfection (loving as the Trinity loves) is not possible by human effort, but only by allowing Christ to come live and love through us.

perfectionistic godperfectionistic godBut for some, what was meant to be perfect freedom has become an anxious slavery that can lead to nervous breakdowns and rob the Christian life of spontaneity and joy.

In this DVD segment, Curt Cloninger portrays God as a mechanic who

is interested only in performance and

cannot possibly spare the time to attend to

the details of the lives of his “employees” (you

and me).

What was happening with

your emotions as you watched this

vignette?

What are some passages of

Scripture that argue against this

type of Godview?

Jesus says, “My yoke is easy and my burden light.”

(See Matthew 11:30.)

Or Paul, even after many years of following Christ, confesses that

he is still “press[ing] on toward the goal”

(Philippians 3:14). (i.e., He has not attained 100%

perfection.)

Bible StudyExercise 7-D

Matthew 11:28-30

&

Galatians 3:2-4

Matthew 11 & Galatians 3

1. J. B. Phillips believes “…the conscientious, sensitive, imaginative person who is somewhat lacking in self-confidence and inclined to introspection will find one-hundred-per-cent perfection truly terrifying.” (p. 28) How should reading Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30 help such an individual?


2. What is Jesus’ suggestion for living “freely and lightly”? And how has this worked in your life?


3. In the Galatians passage, what is Paul so concerned about? And how does this situation in the Galatian church relate to the notion of God as a demanding mechanic?

Matthew 11

In the passage from Matthew, it seems important to remember that we enjoy an “easy yoke” only when we are yoked together with Christ. And in actuality, we have it even better than oxen. Our yoke partner is not just beside us but also inside us—giving us [His] strength and power from within.

Matthew 11 A veteran farmer—who had spent many seasons behind a couple of oxen—told me there can be a problem when one of the oxen attempts to walk ahead of the other. Not only is he doing too much of the work, but the yoke irritates his neck. Perfectionists who are Christians must guard themselves against walking ahead of their partner, Jesus—or they could get hot under the collar.

Galatians 3For the Galatians passage, it is important to keep the context in mind. In Paul’s early ministry, he had traveled in the Roman province of Galatia and planted several churches. His message was about the free life in God that was available through Jesus Christ. A few years later, Paul learned that religious leaders from the “old school” were attempting

Galatians 3to convince others that God was big on perfect compliance with religious rules and regulations. Paul wrote his letter to tell the Galatian Christians not to give up the free life they had in Jesus. In the words of Eugene Peterson in his introduction to Galatians, “God did not coerce us from without, but set us free from

Galatians 3within.” God is more concerned that we surrender to Christ’s presence and love than to keep a list of rules perfectly.

Summary

Dallas Willard, in his book Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship With God, provides the best summary for this session. In a section of the second chapter labeled “God as Taskmaster,” he has this to say:

In the same way we demean God immeasurably by casting him in the role of the cosmic boss, foreman or autocrat, whose chief joy in relation to humans is ordering them around, taking pleasure in seeing them jump at his command and painstakingly noting down any failures. Instead we are to be God’s friends (2 Chronicles 20:7; John 15:13-15) and fellow workers (1 Corinthians 3:9).

The role of taskmaster, whether a pleased one or an angry one, is a role that God accepts only when appointed to it by our own limited understanding. (p. 33)

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God Views Week 12 God as a “mechanic”